It's all over!!!! Graduated ✔ 5K ✔ 30 mins, not quite ✖

Totally chuffed. Managed another 5K, so that's the last 3 runs. We've not tried to complete sub-30, so I'm not disappointed. Even if I wanted to, tonight was not the night. Sore, tired legs and a very busy day.

Just so pleased that it went well, now I know that even if I'm tired I can get out there and get the job done. Definitely mind over matter.

I even sprinted at the end! Dug in to get over that (virtual) finish line.

So, what's next? At 31/32 for our 5K, we're considering consolidating and trying to increase our pace to finish sub-30, but is that a realistic goal?

We noticed a world of difference between running 6.04 and 6.33, so bringing that down to 6.00 is a big ask.

What do you guys think about that?

P.S. Phew!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ripcurlrana71]

Congratulations!!!! I’d say consolidate 30 min runs for a couple of weeks. You’ve been a star at 5k around 30 mins but well worth doing this whilst you think of what’s next. Don’t damage anything trying to get sub 30! Again - very well done Sharron! 🎓🤪💪🏼🎉🎉x

[Hidden in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks Ripcurl, you're probably right. Will likely keep at the 5K rather than 30 mins though, purely because then I can rely on Strava instead of my watch.

Oh, and I nearly forgot, gotta try Zombies, Run now... 😁

[David_G]

Fantastic work, well done! 👍Welcome to the podium 🏆🏆🎓

I wouldn’t try to push yourself too much for a while. There’s loads of advice on here about what to do next, which is worth a read. The main thing is not to try too much too soon. 😳

I’m starting consolidation runs next week, just to get my body used to the distance regularly. 😀

Good luck with your future running career 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to David_G]

Cheers David! After bringing my self slowly back to reality I'm thinking you're right, same as Ripcurl. I'll try to behave and save myself from finding my butt on the IC.

[Lorijay Graduate]

Absolutely brilliant, big congratulations Sharron!! Just consolidate, it's only a matter of time before you are sub 30. Keep off the IC, we want you around.

[Hidden in reply to Lorijay]

I'm getting there's a trend here... 🤣 Thanks for the great advice. I'll take my time and allow things to naturally progress.

[Saartjie Graduate]

Yay! 👏👏👏👏 Well done on completing...and 5k too. Top 10% then! Can't give you any advice on speed being only being slightly faster than a snail 🐌 I'd say just enjoy the ride for a couple of weeks before you start pushing it having read all the pearls of wisdom on here. Congrats again 😊🏅🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Saartjie]

Not quite the 10% as I missed the 30 mins bit, lol. I'm chuffed with that though. Thank you for your kind message. You go the speed that feels right for you. I'm the first to say to anyone else that pace doesn't matter, I'm just a bit harder on myself!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Congratulations! 🎓🍾🥂🎉🎉🎉🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️And all the very best for your onward running journey.

[Hidden in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks. It's been quite the journey already and I'm looking forward to more of the same 😊

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Wow! Well done.

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

Cheers Jay! Wasn't a great run out, really had to fight the entire distance. By 2km I'd had enough. But I'll not give in, I knew I could get there, so I did!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Great attitude. It’ll take you far.

[owmeknees]

Wow! Amazing! Very well done 👍👏🥂🍾

[Hidden in reply to owmeknees]

Many thanks! Love the emoji of the fizz, now why didn't I think to get a bottle in for this moment. 🙄

[pianoteacher Graduate]

Well Done Sutsha!

sub 30 is definitely within your grasp I still haven't quite managed it (did a 30:00 at Parkrun a couple of weeks ago but I stopped and walked a couple of times in that). The general consensus seems to be that pace comes naturally over time and I'm going to try running further with ju-ju's 10k plan in the hope of bringing my time down.

Do you do Parkrun? At ours we have a pacers week every 3rd Saturday of the month and I'm going to try to go sub 30 this Saturday - hope it will be easier with a pacer rather than trying to track it myself x

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

Good idea. We have a Parkrun, but haven't done it yet. We need a sitter for that and already get a lot of help, so it won't be a regular thing but we'll get there one day. I really think that helps having a pacer as I usually focus on keeping up with the OH and that works a treat.

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Parkrun is really fun - I'm sure you'll love it!

I think as long as you set realistic targets for PBs it should work. Like you say the difference between 6:30 min per km and 6:00 is massive. I'm hugely competitive with myself so have to reign it in a bit otherwise I know I'll get injured. It's a bit of a dream of mine now to go sub 25 but I know it's going to be a long road (if indeed ever - I'm 43 and never ever ran at all until 10 weeks ago) to that x

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

I could've written this, I'm so hard on myself and competitive. I'm 44 and hadn't run other than warming up in the gym. 😊

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Amazing! Congratulations! 🍾🍾🍾🍾

[Hidden in reply to Ang33333]

Thank you so much! Feels so great to be a fellow graduate. 🎉

[Hidden]

well done sutsha Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rachey, how's things your end?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ive got W7 R2 tomorrow, im getting there slowly, still loving it though!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Great stuff. It's really some journey and I'll watch out for you at that finish line.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, hope i still see the odd posts from you, it hasnt half flown since we were discussing eurovision 😂😂😂

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You certainly will. Too many friendships made on here to disappear into the sunset.

Yeah, was a good night "in" at the Euro's eh? Terrible result, but hey, we know... I even looked up the Netherlands one recently to see if it was any good, or just the best of a bad bunch 🤣🤣🤣

[Mumsygill Graduate]

Brilliant- very well done . Such a speedy time I can only dream about! Enjoy the celebration 🎉🍾🥇🏃🏼‍♀️🥂👏🏻

[Hidden in reply to Mumsygill]

Thanks Mumsy. We've done better than I'd hoped. When I hit the longer runs I estimated we could manage it in 34/36, so this week's results were quite a surprise. I'm proud of them but recognise that we're all at different levels of fitness (and dare I say ages, which makes a huge difference). The good thing about Parkrun is age- grading which puts everyone on a level playing field. I just love that idea, perhaps because in no longer in my own prime!

[HoagyM Graduate]

Many congrats Sutsha, enjoy the moment and the (virtual) podium!! Speaking as a recent graduate, the thing I like about the immediate postgrad runs is that you can choose what to make of them on any given day. So tomorrow for example, I’m just heading out to see what happens. Nice to not feel you have to do a certain distance/time/pace.

[Hidden in reply to HoagyM]

Yeah, it'll be good to just do what feels right. If I only feel like running a 4K, so be it. Might even do some faster 2.5's at the beginning of the week and a 4/5K at the end, with a whatever happens on the middle. You're right, this is gonna be quite free'ing (is that even a word!!!)

Thanks Hoagy!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations for completing the program and Graduating Sutsha and ?🎉🎉🎉🎉

Very well done...Amazing job.👏👏👏

Yes, consolidation, and the ZombiesRun app is fun... perfectly safe though😉

You will speed up the more running you do and as your legs get stronger..

Keep running and posting 😊xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Will do! Signed up to the Quest to keep me motivated, just in case! 😉

[CJDavies Graduate]

Well done, I’ve been waiting for this news. Good thinking on the zombie run- really fancy trying that one out.

[Hidden in reply to CJDavies]

Aw, thanks CJ! Wasn't a great run out, but got me over that finish line. Legs were a bit tight. Could've done with an extra day in-between but couldn't fit that in.

Yes, ZR is coming out next run for sure!

[DeeRunning Graduate]

Congrats Hidden ! Amazing result and fantastic achievement. Enjoy your celebrations and the future runs to come 🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to DeeRunning]

TY Dee. Loving this running malarkey. Any time I've tried previously to get into it, it hasn't stuck. Never had a proper programme to build up strength and stamina and certainly no-one to look to for advice and tips. It was much easier with a tried and tested programme and all you guys to turn to and learn from. I think most of us are wondering the same things and viola, someone else asks and we all learn together.

I am a Runner!

[sallenson Graduate]

Brilliant you!! Consolidate away like mad babe!!! Well done you!! 👍👍❤❤

[Hidden in reply to sallenson]

That's the plan. I'm wondering how easy it's going to be to pull on the trainers when you don't have the pressure of completing each stage of the week. Might keep counting weeks to avoid pitfalls. How is your running coming along?

[18Windmill Graduate]

Wow! Fantastic effort and running!! Congratulations! 👏👏👏🥇

[Hidden in reply to 18Windmill]

I do my best. Dead beat last night though! 😄😄